Ink addiction tattoos and body piercing

Was recommended by a friend came out all the way from LA. Carlos was my tat artist was very professional, organize and clean. My appointment was at 4 and he was on time. This place is great.

I just got my cheek pierced here. I hadn't heard about this place before but the artist was super cool with a huge Cuba flag on the wall. He did it in less than 1 min. No lie. No pain. It's healing wonderfully and I plan to go back for more.

(I write most of my reviews on Yelp just in case you are wondering why this is a novel.) Soooo... Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I was on a purposeful mission . This year I have decoded the Matrix. As with most evolving processes you step outside of what you thought you always knew into what you know.

Usually with these sort of things (getting tattoos sh!t for a second I forgot what I was writing about) I'm not the one to be spontaneous.

Seriously, I will research and over analyze a tattoo artist as if they are my gynecologists. Yea, just like "my girl" has to be right and functioning at her highest capacity I GOTTA know who I'm fooling with.
Anyways, speaking of fooling with Carlos is cute in a unassuming kinda of way. He has this Al Pacino Scarface exterior but his spirit is like Sensitivity by Ralph Tresvant.
Artistically, speaking Carlos is a surgeon.He knows exactly what he's doing (and I do mean exactly). He has a keen sense of what ascetically works on your body, he applies the right amount of pressure and he is precise.
Very down to earth, confident, intelligent and he has a warm laid back Polynesian kinda vibe. It is important for me to have a connection with the creators I work with. It's not just business for me especially with permanent artistry such as tattooing. Carlos is really humble and patience.

Visually the shop isn't a coffee and crumpets setting.
Walking in you kinda wonder what "is" or what "was" going on in there. It's a very open space not much decor but it is clean and sterile.
At the front door it has a couple of chairs, a desk and a huge computer screen . Carlos looked up my design and gave me different sizes to choose from.
The tattooing takes place in the back, back. Waaaayyyy in the back.
I was like what's REALLY" going on back there.???
It kinda reminded me of the places people go to for the black market Botox injection. You tell all your friends about the clinic that offers high quality cosmetic procedures at a reasonable price.
That low- key clinic where you don't care what they got going on as long as you get what you want.
I remember doing that when Phen -Phen pills came out.Cash only no medical records needed. (Lol)

By the way he has a $50 minimum on any tattoo. CASH ONLY. I didn't have cash but he trusted me to go to the Walgreens across the street. I'm not sure if he accepts credit cards but you can call and ask him. If you go to the Walgreens across the street it's $20 cash back maximum with each transactions so it's probably best to stop by the bank.

I got two very small cross tattoos and I was being a little difficult/indecisive because I didn't know exactly what size I wanted. I also got a low tolerance for pain so even though I didn't get an elaborate tattoo they were in sensitive areas of my body.

I'm definitely going back to Carlos to get a few other other tattoos. **update** (I already have)
Carlos works by word-of-mouth so spread the word. Parking is metered and his spot is on a busy strip in Oakland. Take a Lyft, bring quarters or if you park inside the Wallgreens park on the side where the pharmacy is at. They got a security guard who watches so park at your discretion.

It's kind of strange because I didn't pay attention to the name of his shop until I decided to do the post but for some strange reason I do feel addicted.

I got my industrial piercing and nose done I came like 30 or 45 minutes early he took longer to get me in his char the place is very unprofessional the chop is not clean nor looks professional and I pain 120$ for both and I my nose ring fell out two day later my ear is healing nicely but it’s not you average professional shop it like a whole in the wall I don’t recommend anyone go her for at tattoo or piercing

This is a great shop that finally help free me from a cover-up nightmare. They got me in early with no appointment, they use clean sterile practices, so I'll be back to get some
re-do and touch up work!

I just got my nose pierced and Carlos did a great job. Thank you so much I will be coming back to get inked up soon. Thanks again

Great experience took my cousin to get her piercing done and she loved it, he was super professional and nice

My artist was very detailed and made me feel comfortable. Great attention to detail. Gabe was excellent and my tattoo looks amazing. Very professional.

It says it’s open, but when I go there: CLOSED DOORS! Not ok, update your business profile!

Got a tattoo here yesterday. Carlos made sure I was comfortable and did a great job! Will definitely be coming here again.